Dual Souls, The Other Half Is Bronya

In the small dark room, without any reference points, the concept of time becomes blurred.

"To make Kurogane-kun personally admit 'he made a mistake' – that's the purpose of this interrogation, isn't it?" Nenene sat in the Chairman's office, conversing with Kuroko.

"After all, individual countries can't strip away 'Magic Knight' qualifications; that's directly managed by The Union."

Kuroko extinguished the cigarette butt in the ashtray, speaking unhurriedly.

"That's right, but precisely because of that, that old fox Akaza would resort to such underhanded tactics."

However, Nenene wasn't in a hurry this time. She couldn't intervene personally, but that didn't mean there was no one else. "This time, it's up to Little White. His words will surely be fine."

"Byakuya, huh..."

Kuroko had seen the previous training; Byakuya had already completely surpassed the standards for a student knight!

"Indeed, with his strength, he can accomplish many things, but we teachers can't just stand by and watch."

"Little White told me~"

Nenene flashed and appeared on Kuroko's desk, her small figure sitting on it without the slightest awkwardness. She leaned forward towards Kuroko, "If Little Black wants to help, you can..."

And what about Byakuya? He was still waiting. Ikki had just gone in, and something happened on that end. Anyone with a brain would know there was a problem inside! This kind of thing couldn't be rushed.

Ikki was questioned as usual. Although no torture was used, it still took a toll on his spirit.

On this day, Ikki, still handcuffed, was taken to a venue – he was still a student knight, and his qualification for the Sword God Festival couldn't be revoked, so he had to be taken to compete.

Of course, it was in a specific, sealed venue, and even communication between the two parties was restricted.

As expected, Ikki won the match and was then sent back to the small dark room. This continued for several days. Until...

"Clunk~"

The building's power facilities malfunctioned. In the small dark room, the surveillance camera with its flashing red dot went dead, and the only light source was extinguished.

A pure white Yang Lightning flashed, and soon Byakuya's figure condensed in the corner of the room. The vision dimmed again...

"You should be alright, Ikki~"

Byakuya leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. "Or perhaps my arrival has disappointed you? I imagine you'd rather be seeing Stella right now, wouldn't you?"

"You're still the same as ever."

"Of course, I always am."

To this, Byakuya simply smiled. "Speaking of which, don't you think those idiots are being a bit too meddlesome? If both parties are willing, what business is it of theirs~"

"They even call it 'impure association,' what a joke! When did dating become illegal?"

Even without a trace of light, Byakuya's gaze, coming from the darkness, was still sharp. "If you want to accuse someone, you can always find a reason. You're not being fooled, are you?"

"Cough, cough, of course not." In conversation with Byakuya, Ikki gradually regained his spirits.

"..."

A moment of silence. When Byakuya spoke again, his tone was no longer as flippant as before, but rather carried a sense of authority – that was the aura cultivated bit by bit in The Legend of Qin!

"Ikki, there's something I need to tell you."

"...What is it?"

Ikki unconsciously sat up straighter. His intuition told him that what Byakuya was about to say would far exceed his imagination!

"What's been happening these past few days..."

As he said this, Byakuya paused slightly. "Actually, I already knew."

Seeing that Ikki didn't interrupt, Byakuya nodded slightly and continued, "My eyes are quite special; to a certain extent, I can see the future..."

"Although it's just one possibility." Of course, this part was pure fabrication.

Having introduced such a concept, it was time. "Do you remember what I said before? A person's three stages of growth:

[The third is when you understand that not everything has a right or wrong, yet you still firmly do what you believe in and take responsibility for it.]"

"I saw the relationship between you and your father."

Byakuya looked at Ikki in the darkness, his expression complex. Although he didn't advocate for hardship, he had to admit... hardship drives growth.

"You always thought you were too weak, which is why you couldn't gain the acknowledgment of your father, Kurogane Gen. But in reality, that's wrong."

◆ Kurogane Gen

Compared to family ties, he placed more importance on maintaining "order," which was the current "caste system."

"You are indeed his son, but your Magic Power is too inferior. In his eyes, you were born without talent, Ikki."

"But you, with your inferior Magic Power, have strived to become a higher-ranking Magic Knight and even defeated them!"

Byakuya paused briefly, giving Ikki time to think. After a moment, he asked, "So, what do you think you look like in his eyes?"

"..."

A long silence. Ikki had already realized it. He wasn't stupid, so he naturally understood the meaning behind it.

"You are a 'challenger of the system'..."

Silence is meaningless. Byakuya revealed the answer, "If someone like you succeeds, they will become a role model, a beacon of hope for others."

"You know too, there are too many people with inferior Magic Power, to the point where it can even impact the social structure."

They were supposed to be "unable to do anything," but at some point, someone actually succeeded!

Once this fact emerges, everyone with abilities will start to try. After all...

—No one is willing to settle for mediocrity!

This is a time of peace. If such a thing were to truly happen, it would inevitably lead to bloodshed.

But even so, people would still rush forward, pursuing the rumored, elusive success.

"It's like drawing a lottery."

Byakuya switched to a simpler, more understandable analogy, "If everyone thinks there are no treasures in the prize pool, then no one will draw from it."

"But once someone draws a treasure from it, countless people will follow suit and try."

"They will only remember that someone succeeded, instead of reflecting... why was this person able to do it?"

While Kurogane Gen made a mistake regarding Ikki's question, was the concept he insisted upon truly without merit?

"This is the cruel truth."

At some point, Byakuya had walked up to Ikki, placed a hand on his shoulder, and slowly crouched down. "Your father never had any expectations for you."

"In fact, it's the opposite; he preferred you to remain ordinary. You were always his son, and nothing more. So, we return to that question..."

—"What is it that you truly desire?"

28. Become a [Demon]!

It was in the boundless wind and snow that an old man once said these words to him, words he could never forget:

"Are you resentful about being the 'weakest,' little brat?"

"Then don't forget this regret you feel now."

"Because that is proof that you haven't given up on 'yourself'."

Yes, at first, he wanted to prove to that old man... prove that his judgment was not wrong!

But Kurogane Ryoma... was already dead.

"Ikki, do you remember Stella? Before we left, she asked me to pass on a message to you."

Before Ikki's spirit could sink further, Byakuya timely administered a shot of adrenaline. "Do you remember that promise? She's waiting for you in the finals."

Numerous figures flashed through Ikki's mind: Stella, Shizuku, Arisugawa, Byakuya, Bronya... and so on, even Shinguji Kuroko and Nenene Saikyō were included.

"...I understand."

His previously dejected hand suddenly erupted with strength, gripping Byakuya's shoulder tightly. Ikki slowly raised his head, his dark eyes shining with spirit. "Thank you for this, Byakuya."

"Looks like you've come back to life~"

Byakuya chuckled casually and patted Ikki's shoulder heavily. "So, what's the situation? Is this the power of love?"

"Stop teasing me."

Ikki waved his hand, not wanting to dwell on it. This time, he had truly seen himself clearly; his will had been tempered and was shining even brighter.

"Hey, alright, alright, let's talk business. Do you still want your father's approval?"

"Alright Byakuya, I've already figured..."

Ikki seemed to have let it go, his tone no longer so insistent. But suddenly, Ikki gradually realized, "Byakuya, what did you just say?"

"You guess~"

"Hey!"

"Alright, alright, it's exactly what you're thinking."

Patting Ikki's shoulder, Byakuya stopped teasing him. "Do you think Kurogane Gen maintained order merely out of responsibility? No one can dedicate themselves selflessly."

"Of course, excluding true saints. So Ikki, what do you think he gained from it?"

"...Power and status?" (Ikki)

"Perhaps not just for himself, but for the entire Kurogane family as well. Otherwise, why would he make his life so difficult?"

Byakuya released Ikki's shoulder and sat down beside him against the wall. "To be honest, if you were willing to give all this up and return to inherit the family fortune..."

"I'm sure you would live very well! With the Kurogane family's influence, they could definitely pave a smooth path for you. All you would need to do is give up your identity as a Blade Dancer."

"But..." (Ikki)

"But you're unwilling, right?"

Byakuya finished Ikki's sentence. "Perhaps at the very beginning, you were just acting on a certain objective. But as time went by, this has become an indispensable part of your life."

[Become stronger!]

Ikki silently clenched his fist. Every day of training, every swing of his sword... had completely integrated into his life; he could no longer let it go!

"Without Stella, perhaps you would have been lost. But when you truly see your heart, you'll still strive in this direction, won't you?"

"..."

A moment of silence.

"It seems you're deeply moved, Ikki."

Saying this, Byakuya stood up from the side. "How about this, I'll give you time to slowly process it. We can continue our chat tomorrow?"

"Byakuya!"

"Alright, alright, I'm not joking anymore."

Byakuya waved his hand, but Ikki pulled him back down to sit. "I can tell you clearly: when it comes to getting stronger, you absolutely cannot stop!"

"Why... will there be danger in the future?"

"Who knows~ After all, as I said before, what I observed wasn't entirely accurate."

In the darkness, Byakuya brought up another topic. "Also... haven't you already seen it before?"

"The Puppet Master's attack. Did you protect Stella? Power, having it and not using it, is a different concept than not having it at all."

"So, young man, go and strive to become stronger!" He suddenly became unreliable again.

However, Ikki was mostly used to this... If he were too serious, it wouldn't fit the image he had of Byakuya. "Alright Byakuya, after all this time... haven't you gotten to the point yet?"

"Huh, I haven't? Is there something I've missed? Everything I just mentioned was important."

"Regarding my father."